Looking up briefly to smile towards Alex after hearing her name, just in time to see Jade walking in, it seemed the young woman could not look away from...Oh, there we go. With her co-worker's unusually cheerful voice ringing throughout the room, Evelyn tore her gaze away and went back to staring at her tea until the meeting actually started.

Glancing to the two new, well, ONE new member of the department, seeing as he was now working in her department, Evelyn took a sip of her tea, turning her attention back to Isobel. Late new member. She didn't like him already.

Late co-worker too...it seemed.

Well. Clearly her employees had a lot to say. So so much to say. She frowned, though it turned into a bit of a smile as she watched Ella walk in. "Good Morning Ella..." Seeing as it was the first day she wasn't going to be to annoyed at her being late. Because well she was a nice woman. And it didn't appear as if the rest of her work mates were actually awake. The rate that they all wanted to talk, they may as well not be here. The blonde sighed, shaking her head.

"Does anyone actually want to start?" She murmured with a frown. "Or...we may as well all get to work"

Alex was way too hyper for this time in the morning. Spotting the familiar face of Gavin entering the conference room, she was about to wave him over to sit next to her, when he already found a seat of his own on the other side of the room. Ah well.

Instead she just settled for a grin and a wave, as her right foot bounced anxiously under the table waiting for the start of the meeting.

She was gone for most of last year? Were they supposed to notice the lack of a boss in a department where independent work was admired? Whoops! Shrugging it off, she bit her lower lip to hold her tongue, as she listened to what else Isobel had to say. Oh; two more new unspeakables to their ranks! Glancing toward the gentlemen, who Isobel introduced as Brandon, she smiled and then glanced toward the door, expecting this Alex to come walking through door any moment. She didn't like him, she decided. Because one, he was late and two, he stole her name. That was just uncool. She was the first Alex; le original. He was just some nincompoop-Alex-impostor.

Contemplating mentally about she would do to that nincompoop if she ever saw him leave the death chamber, she completely missed the fact that Isobel had addressed them. What had she asked them again? What happened while she was away?

In the department of mysteries? Not much. Raising her hand slightly, since no one else was speaking, she gave a small smile. "So uh, there was a new comet discovered last September, in terms of new Astronomy findings. But in terms of the ministry, other than some zombie outbreak," she glanced around the room, hesitantly. "I'm not really sure too much details about that though. Oh and the school started its search for some new candidates for its Board of Governors." Her sister knew more about that than she did...

Uh... what else? There was other stuff, but she didn't really want to go into all that terminology; it would probably put half the people in the room to sleep.

Well at least Alex seemed to be awake. That was something. "Thank you Alex..." She murmured, smiling at the woman. At least she was actually talking. "I know about the zombie outbreak....I was one..." She mused with a little laugh. That had not been a good time, but she had to laugh about it. Otherwise she just wouldn't be too good. She nodded. "I know about the board of governors too." She'd had Wes catch her up on everything, and Thea. She was very well informed. But back to what Alex had mentioned about the new Comet. "I'll come have a look in the space chamber later..." Because that really did interest her.

She sighed, not very impressed with the rest of them really. "Okay...seeing as the rest of you don't want to talk we'll wrap this up." Because she had better things than sitting around doing nothing. "If you decide you actually have something to tell me I'll be in my office." And with that she stood up, and left the room.

Isobel was pretty excited. The new year was going to hold lots of new opportunities. With the file under her arm Isobel headed to the conference room. She was hoping that all of her employees would show up because they were certainly going to need everyone on board for the testing that they would be doing soon. Pushing the door open, she headed towards her usual chair, placing the file down before she sat down at the chair. Shaking her head, as she remembered that she had forgotten her coffee, she summoned it, hoping that it wouldn't go all over someone, because that wouldn't be too good. The coffee managed to get there without causing any injuries though. Picking the cup up after it had landed, she took a sip as she waited for the rest of her employees.

Always after a well rested holiday, she didn't want to go back to work. It was so early. Cup of tea in her hand, Evelyn looked up just in time to see a cup of coffee fly by into the conference room. Coffee, she knew, because she could smell it. There was no way she could convince Isobel to ban the drink in their department, was there? Needed Merlin and all the luck in the world on her side with that.

Entering the conference room, her eyebrows raised, noting the coffee was for Isobel. Scratch that last idea then. "Good morning, Isobel." she greeted, taking the seat on the left of the older woman. There was a smile in that greeting somewhere too. Maybe. "Have a nice holiday?"

Somehow, it seemed impossible that Eleanor hadn't yet melted into a nervous puddle on the spot. She wasn't used to this kind of thing - meeting people. Being social. She'd only officially met one co-worker so far, Alex, the rest were a mystery to her. SMIRK. Mystery. Wasn't she hilarious?

Taking a deep breath, she buried her her shyness under a heap of sarcasm and boldness and entered the conference room, head high. What hit her first, was the intoxicating smell of tea and coffee. Merlin, she wished she had some right now. Instead, she had nothing but a stomach full of nerves. "Good morning, everyone," she greeted, although there was currently only two other ladies in the room. One being her boss, who she threw a bigger smile - though it was kinda fake, not that anyone would be able to tell.

Ella really didn't want to come back to work after the holidays. It was very well spent with her husband and little boy. At least she had a picture of Samuel in a christmas hat that she could carry around in her purse. It was pretty special. She was dressed smart enough, but had been in too much of a rush to bother with make up this morning. Ella tried not to let stupid things like that bother her, though. She walked into the conference room and grabbed herself a cup of coffee before she did anything.

Mmmm... that really did hit the spot. "Good morning." Ella finally said, smiling at her co-workers. Hopefully this meeting wouldn't last too long.

It was a nice vacation and Demetrius learned not to bring anything boxed down here or it just might be Instant Darkness Powder.Eh. He walked into the conference room, not really caring if he was first or last. He came because if he stayed working. He would face the wrath of Isobel. Not something anyone would want to do.

Oh Look at this. New people , Isobel, and....Evelyn. "Good Morning Isobel". Demetrius then nodded to the new ones and said "Evelyn" as dry and sarcastically as he could. He picked a comfortable chair and leaned back until the meeting started. He was bored and wanted to get back to work.

His holiday had been nice, know why? He didn't have to see people. When he came back to work he figured he'd lock up in the Ever-locked Room--that has very few other people so there was less chance of him having some kind of social meltdown--but no. Meeting. There always had to be that one meeting, didn't there?

He took a DEEP breath before walking into the Conference Room, that should have been enough to say he wasn't ready for this.

A good amount of them were already there. This meant he'd have to greet them, didn't it? Uuuuugh. He put on a smile. That's what people did, yes? They smiled? You can do this. "Hello everyone." Yes he knew their names, he'd heard them at least once but he wasn't about to waste his morning going around the table greeting them all. What'd he look like? The social bunny? Gavin took a seat and waited. This shouldn't take long...he hoped.

MEETING YAY. Sherman LOVED meetings.

Except for all the scary women there who had nails as long as talons that could probably claw his wrinkles off if needed, so he wasn't sitting near any of the new employees. Wheeling as quickly as he could into the conference room, he pushed the chair on the other side of Izzy and next to Demetrius, accross from Evelyn, out of the way. His wheelchair could be positioned there instead. Two women who he knew wouldn't claw his face off, and Demetrius had no nails, so all was safe.

He beamed at everyone and adjusted his newsboy cap, eager for the meeting to start.

Ahh. People were coming. That was always a good sign. Isobel knew that she needed everyone on board to get this testing to work. So she was glad that man people had turned up. "Morning..." She murmured, offering a smile to each person as they walked in. It wasn't a bad turn out really. There had been a little drop in numbers over the break, but that didn't matter. Quality over Quantity after all, and she had a great team. Picking her cup of coffee up she took a sip, as she decided to wait and see if anyone else would come. When it turned out that nobody was going to be coming Isobel decided to start the meeting.

"Good morning all and welcome back. I hope you had a good holiday." She had, but that wasn't really what she had come to talk about. "I'd just like to welcome Eleanor to the department." There was another new member, but that person was not yet present yet. She would see into that later. "For the first few months of the year we're going to be concentrating on the ever-loved room. There is a new batch of Amortentia that needs testing, which is what we will be doing." All sounded pretty exciting to be honest. "You guys will be the testers, and hopefully there will be some volunteers from the rest of the ministry to test the potion." She would hope so anyway.

"Once we have some volunteers I'll be able to split people into groups." She mused with a nod. "I'll then be able to assign you to certain people." She smiled, before continuing on. "We will basically be taking notes of the affects of the potion and such."

The more she spoke was he more he missed that Ever-locked Room that kept him away from people. Testing love? And no one saw a problem with this? The average person would have question the ethical issues associated with this but he was still stuck on having to get volunteers and testing on them. He'd have to talk to people.

He nodded at all the appropriate times but he had a few questions once she was done. Namely 'could he stay inside and just hand the potion to the others so they can get it tested?' That was the first question, one he felt her knew the answer to so he didn't bother asking it.

He supposed this was fine. He would be a tester. He wasn't the guinea pig (a role that NEVER suited him well, ever).

But why were they using the new batch??? He and the others had worked hard on those. Pick something else. There were still a few vials left from the old batch. Use thoooose. Or, no actually. They worked hard on them, people would test them, see how good they were and he'd get the praise he deserved. This idea was starting to look better. He would go along with it...sorta.

Demetrius was listening sort of. He just wanted to get back to the Death Chamber. This sounded ridiculously dangerous. Demetrius would not forgive anyone if he was ever made a guinea pig. But he did not want to mess with his boss and her husband. Or even Evelyn. Not the best idea ever.

He was not the type to clap when introducing newbies. So just a glare will do.

Sooo. Groups. What was this high school gym class. Not that Demrtrius was ever picked last or something. Though who was in each group will be very interesting. and who were the Captains. Isobel and Evelyn?

Eleanor?

Creepy new lady? Sherman didn't look, only averted his eyes downwards and hoped her nails weren't long.

"Even those of us who work in other chambers?" .. but he didn't want to test Amortentia. His job was cleaning and repairing orbs and patrolling the Hall of Prophecy. Time chamber instruments were okay, too, but love stuff?

He stared intently at Izzy and continued trying to avoid the gaze of the new girl's talons. Shudder.

Yawwwnn. Alex totally should have grabbed a cup of coffee before coming to the meeting. And smelling the mixtures of coffees and teas in the air, she wished she had even more. First day back after a holiday, one would have thought she'd have been more rested. And she was rested, but she wasn't accustomed to the early rising again yet. Half-listening as Isobel started the meeting off with welcoming Eleanor, she gave the younger colleague a brief smile. She already met Lenny and knew she would be working in Mysteries, so that was nothing new. Not to mention she would be touring around the ministry with Lenny in the next day or two, showing her the important parts and perhaps swinging in to Level One to meet the new minister.

But the next order of business was totally new and totally surprising. Amortentia? Testing it? Who's idea was that?!? Was that even LEGAL? Frowning in confusion at Izzy first, then around at the Ever-Locked Room workers she studied each of them, trying to figure out who's idea it was. Gavin seemed just as appalled. Lenny was new. It had to have been Evelyn and it was crazy and probably borderline unethical. She wasn't going to volunteer for anything. Let the psycho potioneers help.

Eugh... this coffee was NOT good coffee. Ella made a face to herself and missed the department head's introduction. Her attention sparked up when her name was mentioned, though. New? She wasn't new... oh... Ella followed everyone's gaze at the new girl, who was apparently called Eleanor, too. Great.

Her plan was to not listen a bit more, but the love chamber was being discussed, and that was kinda where she worked, so ugh.

Ella wasn't confident that people from outside of the department would volunteer for this. She herself got fed up with the fumes of love potion, so she didn't actually fancy trying out a new batch either. Did strange things to your head, that stuff. She looked over to the old guy who spoke up. "Well, it would be nice to have support from other chambers." Just SAYIN'. Even love specialists got sick and tired of the stuff, you know.

Isobel raised an eyebrow, catching Alex's confused expression first. She should have known that those from other chambers wouldn't understand. Maybe it had been a bad idea to try and involve them, but Isobel knew they needed all hands on deck. And she was hoping that involving everyone would improve communication between the department. Because she knew that they really knew that. She smiled at Alex though. Seeing as she didn't raise any questions, she didn't say anything. The woman probably wanted to get back to her planets, but Isobel would make sure that she could included some how. Everyone would be involved some how she hoped.

"Yes Sherman." She murmured, turning her attention to him, and nodding. "Everyone will be involved. As you are probably aware the department is small in numbers. So we need all hands one deck." So yes. They would all be involved. Or Isobel would not be very happy. They were one department, and so they would all help together to make this work.

"I think it would be a good idea if those from other chambers hand the potion out, and those from the ever-locked room look out for the affects and such. Only because you will have more of an idea of what you are looking for." Kind of made sense really. Or it did to Isobel anyway.

Ahh. One more thing. "Now obviously for a love potion to work there needs to be a subject. Therefore...I need two people, one male, one female for the volunteers to fall in love with." She was willing to be the female person, but you know. She had a husband who might not like it too much.

Ignoring, ignoring, oh hi Alex, ignoring.

The eyes that swiveled towards her didn't seem that friendly and doing anything but remain neutral might provoke them and she didn't want that. Lenny was nervous enough as it was, that much so, that she didn't even speak up to say 'just Lenny, please'. Oh, well. If anyone was worth while talking to, they'd learn that in due time. If they weren't worth it, then .. they didn't need to know anyway. Simple enough.

Lenny swallowed her nerves.

No time for them.

Testing the effects of a LOVE potion? She hadn't been around that long, she didn't know all of the working and goings on of the place she was, but she knew enough to know that that potion was supposed to be strong. "Interesting," she mumbled, quiet enough that only the one near her or the ones paying enough attention could hear. To her, this whole thing seemed pointless. Love potions didn't create REAL love, she wanted to study the real thing not in that way, not a silly imitation. A job was a job, though and she'd just have to suck it up.

Oh, and ..

"I'll do it," she said and shrugged, sure that it would save some trouble.

Could be interesting, too.

So not only were they being asked to use the new batch but they had to watch the others' hands all over it? What if they broke it? Or didn't distribute the right amount? He didn't have much faith in people. This was a real concern for him. Still, he was staying quiet 'til everything was said. He needed to know what to address first and what to disregard.

His gaze shifted to Alex, probably one of the only people he spoke to in this department. She seemed to be having a problem with this too, probably not for the same reason though.

Gavin leaned back in his seat and listened as the boss lady went on explaining. It was actually getting better. He wouldn't necessarily have to go asking people to try, he'd just have to watch. That was easier. He had a habit of watching people. This would be simple enough.

....

Come again? Volunteer to have people deliberately fall in love with them? Uh-huh..."I guess I volunteer. I'd know what I'm looking for." He might as well when he thought about it afterall, he was meant to be an expert. This was all eyeroll worthy but he would resist. Messing with love. It wouldn't go well but he'd be right there smirking in the corner once everyone else found this out. Besides, conceited people such as himself had NO PROBLEM with experiments like this one.

Demetrius leaned back in the chair and absorbed the information that was given. They were basically being forced to participate. Eh, Not that Demetrius cared.

Soo... now Isobel wanted volunteers. Demetrius would rather just want an smirk at what was going to happen once they used the potions. He could use a good laugh. Since he did not really have a sense of humor.

And the first Volunteer was somebody from the Ever - Locked Room. This was getting more interesting.

So who was the women, who would volunteer next? This is better than muggle television.

Ella turned her attention to the wall...

Hmm... pretty wall... not her most favourite colour... but it was still a pretty wall.

Good. People were volunteering. Don't mind Ella, she is just making sure the wall is properly seen to.

Well. Well, fine then, Ella.

But.. Sherman didn't want to volunteer. Did he have to? Izzy only needed one man, and Gavin had already offered himself up. He shrunk a little in his wheelchair and tried not to think about love and talons. "I'll help any way I can if you need me to, boss." Gavin first though. Yes. Don't mind the lil' old man in the wheelchair, Gavin first. What kind of ladies even wanted to fall in love with old men, anyway?

Not that he wasn't a total hunk for his age, though. Just saying. Did they SEE that newsboy cap? Sherman was workin' it.

Ahem.

Well then. It seemed not too many of them were happy about this. Isobel kind of didn't care though. The potion needed to be tested. And the people in the ever-locked room had worked hard on it. So they were going to be testing it. They should have just been glad that she wasn't making them fall in love with each other. Because if she was feeling really mean she would've made them do that. But she was feeling nice today. And really it would've been more fun for them to watch others fall in love.

Now she just needed volunteers. "Perfect. Thank you." She nodded, smiling at the two people who had volunteered, as she wrote down their names on the parchment she had. "Now I've posted an announcement to the other departments, so we just need to wait for people to volunteer, and then we are ready to go."

Editing because plot needs to move forward

Okaaay. Meeting had gone on long enough now. Isobel had to figure things out, sort people into groups and such. And she really couldn't do that from in the conference room. "I will sort you into various groups, and post them onto the notice board in due course. For now you can continue with your current work." And with that the meeting was over and Isobel headed off to her office.

Isobel was feeling rather excited for the meeting. She wanted to get the testing moving on as soon as possible, so meeting with the volunteers was going to be a very good idea. She placed the plates of muffins and doughnuts onto the middle of the table, picking up a strawberry iced doughnut before she moved towards her chair at the end of the table. She liked doughnuts. Especially when she had it with her coffee. Settling into her chair, she took a bite of the doughnut, and waited for the volunteers to arrive.